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| Child weight letters obesity row | |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Plans to ensure parents in England get sent data on their child's height and weight have been criticised as flawed and lacking bite. | Plans to ensure parents in England get sent data on their child's height and weight have been criticised as flawed and lacking bite. |
| The Department of Health has urged all Primary Care Trusts to send out the data collected at schools without waiting for parents to request it. | The Department of Health has urged all Primary Care Trusts to send out the data collected at schools without waiting for parents to request it. |
| But an obesity expert said parents would not receive the most useful information on body mass index. | But an obesity expert said parents would not receive the most useful information on body mass index. |
| He also criticised reluctance to use the term "obese" in letters. | He also criticised reluctance to use the term "obese" in letters. |
| Ministers believe the letters could help raise parents' awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle for their children. | Ministers believe the letters could help raise parents' awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle for their children. |
| I find this whole approach from the Department of Health a bit prissy and namby pamby Tam FryNational Obesity ForumHealth Minister Calculate your BMI | I find this whole approach from the Department of Health a bit prissy and namby pamby Tam FryNational Obesity ForumHealth Minister Calculate your BMI |
| But announcing the move on Monday, they said research had shown using the term "obese" risked alienating parents, and turning them off from the key message. | But announcing the move on Monday, they said research had shown using the term "obese" risked alienating parents, and turning them off from the key message. |
| Instead, they have advised primary care trusts to refer to obese children as "very overweight". | Instead, they have advised primary care trusts to refer to obese children as "very overweight". |
| The National Child Measurement Programme weighs and measures the height of all primary school children in reception class (aged four to five) and year six (aged 10-11). | The National Child Measurement Programme weighs and measures the height of all primary school children in reception class (aged four to five) and year six (aged 10-11). |
| No stigma | No stigma |
| Ivan Lewis, Health Minister, said research had shown that parents wanted to know their child's results, with the information presented in a clear and non-stigmatising way. | Ivan Lewis, Health Minister, said research had shown that parents wanted to know their child's results, with the information presented in a clear and non-stigmatising way. |
| He said: "Research shows that most parents of overweight or obese children think that their child is a healthy weight. | He said: "Research shows that most parents of overweight or obese children think that their child is a healthy weight. |
| "This move isn't about pointing the finger and telling parents that their children are overweight, instead it is about equipping parents with the information they need to help their children live healthier lives." | "This move isn't about pointing the finger and telling parents that their children are overweight, instead it is about equipping parents with the information they need to help their children live healthier lives." |
| However, Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, criticised the reluctance to use hard-hitting language. | However, Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, criticised the reluctance to use hard-hitting language. |
| He said: "I find this whole approach from the Department of Health a bit prissy and namby pamby. | He said: "I find this whole approach from the Department of Health a bit prissy and namby pamby. |
| "The Americans have gone back to using the term because it's the kind of shock word that makes parents sit up and take notice." | "The Americans have gone back to using the term because it's the kind of shock word that makes parents sit up and take notice." |
| Vague scale | Vague scale |
| Mr Fry also said the sliding scale with which parents would be provided to assess their child's weight was no substitute for BMI. | Mr Fry also said the sliding scale with which parents would be provided to assess their child's weight was no substitute for BMI. |
| He said: "The Department of Health admits in its guidance that BMI is the best and most practical way to assess whether a child is overweight or obese, but then denies parents the actual figures for their children because they say it could be confusing for some. | He said: "The Department of Health admits in its guidance that BMI is the best and most practical way to assess whether a child is overweight or obese, but then denies parents the actual figures for their children because they say it could be confusing for some. |
| "That is total rubbish." | "That is total rubbish." |
| Mr Fry said he had tested the scale which will be provided, and found it vague, and inaccurate. | Mr Fry said he had tested the scale which will be provided, and found it vague, and inaccurate. |
| A Department of Health spokesperson said the sliding scale had received positive feedback from parents during tests. | A Department of Health spokesperson said the sliding scale had received positive feedback from parents during tests. |
| "Some parents may find the BMI growth charts confusing and may need someone to explain what they show. | "Some parents may find the BMI growth charts confusing and may need someone to explain what they show. |
| "We want parents to easily understand the results without the need for further explanation, and that is why the sliding scale bar will be used." | "We want parents to easily understand the results without the need for further explanation, and that is why the sliding scale bar will be used." |
| Move welcomed | |
| Caroline Butler, of the charity Diabetes UK, welcomed the government's move. | Caroline Butler, of the charity Diabetes UK, welcomed the government's move. |
| She said: "Parents need to be educated about the dangers of obesity and obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes." | She said: "Parents need to be educated about the dangers of obesity and obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes." |
| "Ten years ago Type 2 diabetes in children was unheard of in the UK. Now we have over 1,000 children with the condition, some as young as seven. | "Ten years ago Type 2 diabetes in children was unheard of in the UK. Now we have over 1,000 children with the condition, some as young as seven. |
| So far, around 40% of primary care trusts have already said they intend to send out the information automatically in the next school year. | So far, around 40% of primary care trusts have already said they intend to send out the information automatically in the next school year. |
| A further 40% said they would wait for the Department of Health guidance before making a decision. | A further 40% said they would wait for the Department of Health guidance before making a decision. |
| The scheme, introduced three years ago, got off to a slow start, but 80% of children in reception year and year six were weighed and measured in 2006-07. | The scheme, introduced three years ago, got off to a slow start, but 80% of children in reception year and year six were weighed and measured in 2006-07. |
| Of those, 22.9% of children in reception year and 31.6% of those in year six were overweight or obese. | Of those, 22.9% of children in reception year and 31.6% of those in year six were overweight or obese. |